If you’ve ever attempted to delete a file that simply refused to be deleted, then you know how frustrating that can be. The following screen shot illustrates just one of the commonplace warning messages a Windows user can run into when attempting to delete a File, or Folder.

This type of message can pop up more often than you might expect, and can be caused by any number of issues including (let’s hope not), a malware infection.

Unlocker, (last updated April 13, 2011), is a free Windows Explorer extension that allows you – with a simple right-click of the mouse, to handle this particular error message – as well as the following:

Cannot delete folder: It is being used by another person or program

Cannot delete file: Access is denied

There has been a sharing violation.

The source or destination file may be in use.

The file is in use by another program or user.

Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use.

After a simple straightforward installation, you will notice a new command , has been added to your Windows Explorer context menu – as illustrated more clearly in the following Windows Explorer screen shot (Windows 8 version).

2 responses to “Unlocker Windows Explorer Extension – Take Control Of Locked Files In Windows”

I have used this when I did some consulting once and it was a lifesaver. For a regular SMB share, it allowed people to delete files that had proper permissions but would not delete the normal way. Especially helpful when you have interns, or students who may not understand about closing files or who save unnecessary versions of files.

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